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Some very good things have been created by the European Union. One of these is the Erasmus programme. This programme aims at providing meetings within education, training, youth and sports. Sundsvall is currently involved in a programme that takes up “Active Citizenship and Environmental Awareness through Formal and Non-formal Education”.

This programme would most probably not be possible without the existence of the European Union. Meetings between students, teachers and school leaders give an invaluable possibility for advance and development of questions of common and collective interest within education.

Joining Västermalm’s school in Sundsvall on this topic we find the, the International school of Ostrava, Czech Republic, the Cabrini Professional School in Taranto, Italy, the Ausros College in Taurage, Lithuania, the Lanchester school in the UK, the Liceum T. Zana in Wschowa, Poland, the Escola Casquilhos in Barreiro, Portugal and the Ienachita Vacarescu school in Targoviste, Romania .

To all visiting teachers and students I extend a most warm welcome to Sundsvall. The theme for this network is the spreading of good experiences through active citizenship on what can be done to enhance and improve our care and concern for the environment.

Truth is, that the environment belongs to all and affects all. Therefore, what we can do today is of great importance for our lives tomorrow. When heavy rains cause floods in Durham just off Lanchester it is a sign to all of us. When winters get shorter and warmer in Sundsvall we need to ask questions. Wherever we are, the need of awareness is there. Education is central in all our countries for a progressive and efficient improvement of knowledge, and practices concerning environmental issues.

When I think of this evening’s meeting and the people involved I feel optimism and I see possibilities. If we add up the numbers of citizens that live in our 8 communities we come to a number of over 700 thousand people. If all students in our schools would become active in making others aware of the environmental challenges we could reach a larger part of our population. It all adds up.